How to Get Over Your Fear of The Dentist

Nobody likes visiting the dentist. It's never a pleasant experience since you're either going in to fix a problem or to figure out whether there is a problem in the first place. In some cases, the visit ends badly and you find out that you have to have a large procedure done. It's normal to feel some degree of fear or anxiety when you go to the dentist, but some people get a bit too anxious. Fear of the dentist can border on pathological, which is why it's important to get to the core of the issue. Here are some ways to overcome specific fears when visiting the dentist.

1. Fear of pain

One of the main reasons so many young Australians are afraid to visit their dentist is pain. Nobody wants to subject themselves to a painful experience and this is why avoiding it feels like the most sensible solution. However, this is very far from the truth. 

To start, the pain is never as bad as you imagine it to be. If you’ve ever expected a punch in the shoulder, you’ll know that the waiting is a lot more unbearable than the punch itself. The same goes for any procedure in dentistry. The anticipation is what’s really holding you back. 

For the actual pain, dentists have various solutions that can help you out. Anesthesia is something dentists will gladly give to their patients if it’s going to soothe their nerves. In the unfortunate event that you’re afraid of needles, there are still options available. Laughing gas does the job just fine without having any needles involved. No matter what, you’re going to avoid any significant pain and you’ll be out of the dentist’s office in no time. 

2. Unpleasant experiences

An individual’s fear of the dentist’s office often stems from past experiences. If you’ve ever been to a very unpleasant or painful dentist appointment, this will definitely shape your view of dentistry and make you fear going in for another procedure. This is especially true if your bad experience happened when you were a child.

Nobody likes reliving their past traumas, but this isn’t something you’re likely to experience with a different dentist. Dentists are people too, and some of them might not be looking out for your feelings when they do their job. Most dentists are pleasant individuals and they’ll always strive to give you the best and least painful experience that they can during every procedure. Remember that one bad trip to the dentist is not representative of all dentists. Don’t let it prejudice you against something that is a big part of your healthcare experience. 

3. Oral health anxiety

It’s no secret that most of us don’t take ideal care of our teeth. Even if you brush two to three times per day, that doesn’t mean your teeth are in tip-top shape. For starters, do you floss regularly? Most people floss their teeth when they feel like it, but that might not be enough to keep them clean. Dentists recommend that you floss at least once per day. This simply isn’t feasible for a lot of people, so they do it when they can. 

Let’s not forget sugar consumption. Sugar is one of the most detrimental substances to teeth and it can cause bacteria and cavities to spread like crazy. We still eat sugary treats, because they’re delicious. However, being aware of this kind of neglect of teeth will make someone anxious when they visit the dentist, for fear of being judged by them. 

Dentists only care about keeping your teeth nice and clean, and they’ll always recommend doing as much as you can to keep them that way for a long time. Even if you neglect your teeth every once in a while, you shouldn’t be afraid of getting any bad looks from your dentist.

4. Problems with pricing

Dental work can be pretty expensive in Australia for example,and in other countries as well. This is especially true if you don’t have insurance that covers dental work. Even something as small as filling a crown might cost you a pretty penny. When you’re unsure of whether or not you have dental problems, simply visiting the dentist might cause you anxiety. What if something unexpected pops up and you need to shell out a lot of money?

It’s important to remember that dental work preserves your health. The occasional check-up won’t cost you nearly as much as it might cost you to only show up when things get bad. Plus, diagnostics aren’t too invasive or costly. You can even get it done digitally. There are lots of clinics that offer digital dentistry in Brisbane, which is a lot quicker and more efficient than using outdated mechanical methods. The prices are a lot more manageable, which means you don’t have to worry about breaking the bank when you go for a visit.

5. Feelings of helplessness

Nobody likes feeling like they’re helpless and lacking control. When you have to put yourself in a vulnerable position, it’s only natural that you’re going to feel uncomfortable. This is especially prominent when people visit their dentist. You’re thrust in a situation where you can’t speak or voice your opinion because your mouth is positioned to help the dentist work.

Worse yet, anesthesia or laughing gas will keep you immobile and slowed down. This can make people feel especially vulnerable and anxious. You might know your dentist, but they’re still just a stranger, at best. It’s pretty common for people to avoid major dental work because of this. However, it’s easily solved. You can always bring a friend or family member along with you when you visit the dentist. It’s going to make you feel safe and you won’t have to worry.

Conclusion

Visiting the dentist can be pretty terrifying at times. Nobody wants to be judged for their habits or get their teeth pulled in the middle of the day. The good news is that these fears are generally overblown and going to the dentist is a mostly boring experience. You won’t have any traumatizing pain and nothing will happen to your health. In most cases, all you get is a bit of cleaning and a stern reminder to floss.